UP TO STANDARD – Hudson County Correctional adult facility in Kearny received its health accreditation in early July. Hudson County Freeholders pose for a photo with key people from the facility and the accreditation firm.

Early in July, The Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders recognized CFG Health Systems and the Hudson County Department of Corrections Adult Facility for receiving accreditation from the National Commission of Correctional Health Care. The National Commission of Correctional Health Care maintains rigorous Accreditation and Certification Programs for institutions and individual professionals in the field related to the operation of health systems in correctional and detention environments. These include on-site inspections and surveys as well as individual examinations.

The National Commission of Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) is recognized throughout the country for setting standards relative to sustaining and improving the quality of health care in correctional and detention facilities. It developed a nationally recognized and accepted standard for health services in such facilities, established by leaders in the fields of health, law, and corrections. These standards cover areas of care, treatment, health records, administration, personnel, medical legal issues, and are essential resources for correctional and detention facilities in their efforts to improve the health of inmates. It also increases the efficiency of health services delivery and strengthens organizational effectiveness.

The Hudson County Department of Corrections, Adult Division, composed of CFG Health System, LLC staff, and the department’s own nursing staff, was audited by and subjected to the scrutiny of the NCCHC Accreditation Committee, and passed all measures, having achieved 100 percent compliance with all standards.

CFG Health System hosted the administration of NCCHC’s Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP) Examination for county staff. The Hudson County Department of Corrections is now the first such department in the state of New Jersey to have nursing and custody members awarded CCHP certificates.

BLRA dissolution delayed

Because the review by the state Local Government Board was not complete by the July 10 meeting of the Bayonne City Council, ordinances and resolutions dissolving the Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority and bonding to cover its debt were delayed until the August meeting.

Blood supply low

In response to an increased need for O-negative blood, New York Blood Center (NYBC) is urging our community to roll up its sleeves, donate blood, and ensure hospital demands continue to be met over the summer. NYBC is also looking for motivated community members to organize and host blood drives in August and September. Students who organize community blood drives during summer months can receive special community service scholarships.

NYBC has joined with the 2014 New York/New Jersey Super Bowl Host Committee on the Super Community Blood Drive, an eight-month partnership aimed at motivating people to donate blood for hospital patients in New York and New Jersey. All presenting donors through January 17, 2014, will be entered into a sweepstakes for a pair of tickets to Super Bowl XLVIII.

Each and every day there are patients who depend on the transfusion of red blood cells, platelets, and plasma to stay alive. But blood and blood products can’t be manufactured. They can only come from volunteer blood donors who take an hour to attend a blood drive or visit a donor center.

“Summer is crunch time for us,” said NYBC Vice President Rob Purvis. “Potential donors go on vacation and the school term ends. We’re asking people to schedule a blood donation along with their other summer plans.”

To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive, please call toll free: 1-(800) 933-2566. Visit: www.nybloodcenter.org